Meeting summary: The meeting began with a vote to adopt remote participation and approval of the minutes from the June 2, 2021 meeting. The Commission voted to create a screening committee to review applications for the Executive Director position. There was a discussion of the Commission’s statutory responsibility under Section 119 to issue guidance by June 30, 2021 on developmentally appropriate de-escalation and disengagement tactics and alternatives to the use of force for minor children, considering factors such as age, disability, developmental status, mental health, and language barriers. The meeting also featured presentations by Lisa Thurau and David Walker from Strategies for Youth, as well as by Commissioners Bluestone, Luma, and Wynn.

Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Recommendations for De-Escalation (PPT)

Screening Committee Meeting summary: The meeting began with a call to order, followed by a discussion of the role of the Executive Director. The Commission then entered executive session under G.L. c. 30A, §21(8) to consider or interview applicants for the Executive Director position. The public session did not reconvene after the executive session.

POST Commission Executive Director Screening Committee minutes

POST Commission Executive Director Screening Committee meeting details & agenda

Meeting Summary: Discussion of proposed guidance pursuant to Section 119: “Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, not later than June 30, 2021, the Massachusetts peace officer standards and training commission established in section 2 of chapter 6E shall issue guidance on developmentally appropriate de-escalation and disengagement tactics, techniques and procedures and other alternatives to the use of force for minor children that may take into account contextual factors including, but not limited to, the person’s age, disability status, developmental status, mental health, linguistic limitations or other mental or physical condition.”

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Meeting Summary: The Commission approved guidance pursuant to Section 119, requiring issuance by June 30, 2021, on developmentally appropriate de-escalation and disengagement tactics, techniques, procedures, and other alternatives to the use of force for minor children. This guidance takes into account various contextual factors such as age, disability, developmental status, mental health, linguistic limitations, and other conditions. Additionally, there was a discussion of the Commission’s statutory responsibility under Section 15(d) to jointly promulgate rules and regulations with the Municipal Police Training Committee regarding the use of force by law enforcement officers. These regulations allow for necessary, proportionate, and non-deadly force only after de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are deemed not feasible based on the totality of circumstances.

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Meeting Summary: The meeting began with approval of minutes from June 16, 2021, June 23, 2021 and June 30, 2021 meetings. The Commission also held a discussion on proposed rules and regulations under Section 15(d).

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Executive Director and General Counsel Screening Committee meeting

Screening Committee meeting summary: The meeting began with a call to order, followed by approval of the Executive Director Screening Committee minutes from June 16, 2021. The Commission then entered executive session under M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(8) to review resumes for General Counsel applicants and to interview candidates for the Executive Director position. The public session did not reconvene after the executive session.

Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Executive Director and General Counsel Screening Committee Agenda

Meeting Summary: The meeting included a discussion of proposed rules and regulations under Section 15(d), which require the Commission and the Municipal Police Training Committee to jointly establish use-of-force policies for law enforcement officers. These regulations allow for the use of necessary, proportionate, and non-deadly force in situations not explicitly covered by law, but only when de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are deemed not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances.

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Meeting Summary: Discussion of proposed rules and regulations under Section 15(d): “The
commission and the municipal police training committee established pursuant to section 116 of chapter 6 shall jointly promulgate rules and regulations for the use of force by law enforcement officers consistent with this section and section 14; provided, however, that such regulations may authorize the use of necessary, proportionate and non-deadly force for purposes not explicitly specified in this chapter where de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances.”

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Minutes (PDF)

This meeting was cancelled.

Meeting Summary: The meeting focused on a discussion of the proposed rules and regulations under Section 15(d), which direct the Commission and the Municipal Police Training Committee to jointly establish use-of-force policies for law enforcement officers. These regulations permit the use of necessary, proportionate, and non-deadly force in situations not specifically addressed by law, but only after de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are considered not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances.

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Minutes (PDF)